Besides Libya, “Islamic State has also endorsed, or received expressions of loyalty, from other militants around the region, including factions based in Nigeria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.” U.S. analysts, however, forbidden as they are by Obama Administration policy to examine the beliefs, motives and goals of the jihadis, have no idea why the Islamic State inspires this kind of loyalty.
“U.S. fears Islamic State is making serious inroads in Libya,” by Mark Hosenball, Reuters, March 20, 2015 (thanks to Blazing Cat Fur):
(Reuters) – The United States is increasingly concerned about the growing presence and influence of the Syria-based Islamic State movement in Libya, according to U.S. officials and a State Department report.
The officials said what they called “senior” Islamic State leaders had traveled to the country, which is whacked by civil war, to help recruit and organize militants, particularly in the cities of Derna and Sirte.
Since late January, Islamic State militants have carried out attacks, including a car bombing and siege at the Corinthia, a luxury hotel in Tripoli, and an attack on the Mabruk oilfield south of Sirte, according to a report circulated this week by the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Bureau.
The militants also posted on the Web images of the beheading of 21 abducted Egyptian Coptic Christians on a Libyan beach.
The State Department document said estimates of the number of Islamic State fighters operating in Libya ranged from 1000 to 3000.
Around 800 fighters were based in the Derna area alone, the report said, including up to 300 who previously fought in Syria or Iraq.
U.S. officials said that because of its strategic position, Libya had become a springboard for would-be fighters from across North Africa wanting to link up with the Islamic State. They could travel from there to Syria for frontline experience.
The State Department assessment, whose existence was first reported by the Washington Free Beacon website, said that the disintegration of central authority in Libya “has given ISIL an opening to establish a legitimate foothold.”
The report said Islamic State had only had limited success in capturing and holding territory in Libya.
U.S. officials said Libya Dawn, an Islamist, but non-Jihadist, movement based in the city of Misurata, was mounting a counter-attack against Islamic State forces, a development which the United States considered encouraging.
Islamic State has also endorsed, or received expressions of loyalty, from other militants around the region, including factions based in Nigeria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula….
somehistory says
From the article: “which is whacked by civil war”
*Whacked* by isllam. islam is whacking everywhere…no country is safe from islam’s whacking.
cs says
I never seen an administration so coward in my life, it is shameful.
Spot On says
B.O. leaves Jihad behind everywhere he goes. Probably in the US too if he has enough time. It is hard to believe he is doing this accidentally.
ayatollahowmany says
Well, Obama- the “J.V. TEAM” is doing rather well,is it not??
AJ Liberphile says
Why would the US ‘fear’ that the Islamic State is gaining control of Libya? Are President Obummer and his Muslim Brotherhood cronies not in full control? Or is it because the Islamic State practices a heretical non-Qutb approved version of pislam, and are therefore apostates? I’m genuinely confused.
duh_swami says
Rasool O was instrumental in creating modern Libya…and now they worry about it…Remember the ‘responsibility to protect’, doctrine dreamed up by Samantha Powers and applied only once in Libya. That’s where we kill Libyans in order to save Libyans…We can see how well that worked out…
Darren says
So I guess that means our liberation of Libya was an epic failure and total unmitigated disaster, who would have thunk it. The pigeon strutting around knocking of pieces and shitting on all over the chess board brigade has struck again. Mission Accomplished. I believe the motto regarding our foreign policy is good enough for government work.
Mac-101 says
It appears to me Libya was a total success for Obola, State Dept. and Soros. They got what we ALL KNEW what was goin to happen. I, with little intel and less intelligence KNEW this was goin to be da end result, and these people, the “Smartest “in the world with “Hundreds of Billions” in intel organizations couldn’t predict this? I think NOT!
jewdog says
It’s time for Libya to be invaded and colonized by non-Muslims. Set up Islam-free zones with condos, swimming pools and golf courses, defended by barbed wire and machine gun nests. Attract settlers with low-cost housing and jobs in the oil fields.